Weight and height of the fetus by weeks of pregnancy

It’s exciting and comforting to follow your unborn child’s development while you’re expecting. Your child’s size and development change significantly with each passing week. Knowing about these changes enables you to anticipate what’s happening inside the womb and to establish a stronger bond with your baby.

Your fetus is nothing more than a tiny cluster of cells in the early weeks of development. By the time the first trimester ends, your baby should be around three inches long. You’ll witness remarkable growth spurts as the weeks pass; by week 20, your baby should have grown to be about 8 inches long. These developmental milestones represent significant phases that set the foundation for your baby’s long-term health and wellbeing, so they’re more than just numbers.

This article will provide a clear picture of what to expect as your pregnancy progresses by going over the average weight and height of the fetus week by week. This guide will make it easy for you to monitor your baby’s growth and development, regardless of whether you’re a first-time parent or are expanding your family.

Growth rates

During the first trimester of pregnancy, the process of embryogenesis takes place – during this time, all organs and systems, tissues are formed in the embryo, and up to 10-12 weeks, the development of different embryos has almost the same characteristics – the growth of the child in the womb is close to uniform standards. After 12 weeks, the development of babies acquires individuality, provided by heredity, genetic information (there are larger and smaller people, tall and short, with a large or small head, etc. d.). And the closer to the end of pregnancy, the more individual characteristics your child has. Up to 8 weeks of pregnancy, the question of embryo growth does not arise, it is impossible to measure it due to its too small size, and ultrasound specialists measure only the diameter of the ovum and the CTE – crown-rump length, which in no way indicates weight gain.

After all organs and systems have fully developed and embryogenesis is complete, the fetus starts to gain weight actively (after 11–12 weeks).

The child starts to actively gain subcutaneous fat by the middle of the second trimester, at which point the weight gain intensifies and becomes even more noticeable. The third and last trimester is when the fastest rate of gain is seen. At this point, the child experiences cramps and loses his ability to move freely inside the uterus. The baby is fully formed and ready to meet his parents during the final week before delivery, which is marked by a slight gain.

Gender differences also show up in the last third of pregnancy, with girls gaining weight a little bit more slowly than boys.

Influencing factors

  • Mother"s nutrition — ​​with a balanced diet of the woman, it is difficult for the child to gain extra grams, since he receives all the necessary substances in the right amount with the blood. With overeating, passion for carbohydrates, sweets, the weight of babies also quickly becomes large, because they produce little of their own insulin. With insufficient maternal nutrition, the baby also has a deficiency of nutrients, and its weight may deviate from the one laid down by the genetic program.
  • Smoking of the mother during gestation — ​​seven out of ten pregnant women who smoke give birth to children with hypotrophy.
  • The woman"s lifestyle — the baby"s weight can be affected by the mother"s experiences and stress, lack of sleep, hard work, harmful effects of poisons and toxins.
  • Illnesses of the mother – with diabetes, a woman in a woman ten times increases the likelihood of a large fetus, and chronic ailments of the kidneys and heart can lead to hypotrophy (low weight).
  • Multiple pregnancy and other pregnancy features — against the background of the threat of miscarriage during pathological gestation, the fetus usually gains weight less intensively, and when carrying twins or triplets, the size (height and weight) of the children in the womb is smaller than average for physiological reasons.

Given that the norms for fetal body weight and weight gain are relative, an examination of genetics, the expectant mother’s memory, and the features of the gestational period are required.

Monitoring the fetus’s weight and height week by week offers important insights into its growth and development during pregnancy. By being aware of these milestones, expectant parents can monitor their baby’s development and make sure they’re on schedule for a safe delivery. Understanding what to anticipate at every stage of pregnancy, from tiny beginnings to fast growth phases, can also allay worries and improve the experience in general.

Calculation

Many formulas are used to estimate the weight of the baby in the mother’s womb; expectant mothers can use these formulas as well as obstetricians. It is not challenging.

According to the Lankovits formula

Two indicators are required for the calculation: the height of the uterine fundus (OH and VSDM) and the expectant mother’s abdominal circumference. This information is on the exchange card, and the doctor measures these indicators during each prenatal clinic visit with the expectant mother. Choose the ones that are last on the list.

You should also be aware of your weight and height. (VSDM + OB + height + weight) x 10 is the formula.

For instance, a 29-week pregnancy with an OB of 110, VSDM of 29, height of 160 cm, and weight of 65 kg. The estimated weight of the baby, 3640 grams, is obtained by multiplying the total number by 10.

The method’s allowed error is within +/- 0.5 kilograms.

According to the Bublichenko formula

The primary indicator is the mother’s body weight. It is calculated as (Weight/200) x 10.

In other words, based on this formula, a baby weighing 80 kg would weigh roughly 4 kg. Plus or minus one kilogram is acceptable error. Specialists do not utilize this calculation method because it is inconvenient for an accurate presentation.

According to the Yakubova formula

The information on the OZ and VSDM from the exchange card will be useful in this computation once more. You need to multiply (VSDM+OZ) /4) by 100.

It turns out that the baby weighs precisely 3.5 kg, with the circumference of 110 and the height of the uterus equal to 30.

The formula is thought to be fairly accurate, but only for women with normal constitutions; in cases of maternal obesity, the results may not match reality exactly.

According to the formula of Zordia

(Og x VSDM) – this indicates that two exchange card values need to be multiplied by one another. The estimated weight of the fetus with VSDM = 30 and OZH = 110 is 3300 grams.

Week of Pregnancy Fetal Weight (grams) Fetal Height (cm)
4 Weeks 0.1 0.1
8 Weeks 1 1.6
12 Weeks 14 5.4
16 Weeks 100 11.6
20 Weeks 300 16.5
24 Weeks 600 30
28 Weeks 1,000 37.6
32 Weeks 1,700 42.4
36 Weeks 2,500 46.2
40 Weeks 3,300 50

Maintaining a weight and height log for your unborn child during pregnancy can be an intriguing way to foster a relationship with your growing child. New milestones are reached every week, and realizing these shifts enables you to recognize how much progress is made in a brief period of time. Your baby’s development is truly amazing, from their tiny beginnings in the first trimester to their more noticeable size in the later stages.

Although these broad recommendations serve as a useful reference, keep in mind that every pregnancy is different. It is quite normal for your baby to measure slightly above or below the average. It’s always best to talk about any worries you may have with your healthcare provider, who can provide individualized advice and comfort based on your particular circumstances.

In the end, you can enhance your enjoyment of this unique period by concentrating on the journey and the remarkable advancements your child makes each week. As you wait for your child to arrive, cherish each milestone and the incredible transformation that is occurring.

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Elena Ivanova

Mother of three children, with experience in early development and education. Interested in parenting methods that help to reveal a child's potential from an early age. I support parents in their desire to create a harmonious and loving family.

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